euro adhoc: Andritz AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet
Andritz: Results for
the First Three Quarters of 2005
- Significant increase in Order Intake, Sales and Net Income
- Order Intake at record level
- Financial guidance for 2005 confirmed
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
08.11.2005
Graz, November 8, 2005. Technology Group Andritz reports a favorable business development for the First Three Quarters of 2005. Sales of the Group increased to 1,204.0 MEUR, up 12.5% compared to the reference period of last year (Q1-Q3 2004: 1,070.3 MEUR). Net Income excluding minority interests, at 56.8 MEUR, was also significantly up compared to last years reference period (Q1-Q3 2004: 37.7 MEUR). Order Intake also developed very favorably; at 1,400.2 MEUR, it was 31.0% higher than during the reference period of last year (Q1-Q3 2004: 1,068.5 MEUR). Order Backlog, at 1,667.8 MEUR, reached a new record level, thus giving a good visibility with regard to Sales for the coming Quarters.
For the full year of 2005, the Managing Board of Andritz confirms its financial guidance and expects Sales to increase by approximately 20% and Net Income by approximately 35% compared to 2004.
Favorable development of Sales During the First Three Quarters of 2005, Sales of the Andritz Group increased to 1,204.0 MEUR (Q1-Q3 2004: 1,070.3 MEUR), with first-time consolidated companies contributing 16.0 MEUR to Sales.
Order Intake significantly above last years reference period Order Intake for the First Three Quarters of 2005 was 1,400.2 MEUR, increasing 31.0% compared to the reference period of last year (Q1-Q3 2004: 1,068.5 MEUR). In particular, the Rolling Mills and Strip Processing Lines and the Environment and Process Business Areas increased Order Intake significantly compared to last year. First-time consolidated companies contributed approximately 13.3 MEUR to Order Intake during the reporting period.
Order Backlog at record level Order Backlog as of 30.9.2005, at 1,667.8 MEUR, reached a new record level (30.9.2004: 1,080.9 MEUR). Thus, the Andritz Group has a solid visibility with regard to Sales for the coming months.
Strong increase in Earnings As a result of Sales growth and continued cost optimizations, Earnings before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization of Goodwill (EBITA) increased to 72.8 MEUR during the First Three Quarters of 2005 (Q1-Q3 2004: 64.4 MEUR). Due to the application of IFRS 3, which prohibits the amortization of goodwill from 2005, Earnings before Interest, and Taxes (EBIT) surged over proportionally to 72.8 MEUR during the First Three Quarters of 2005 (Q1-Q3 2004: 52.4 MEUR).
Net Income after deduction of Minority Interests amounted to 56.8 MEUR, increasing by 50.7% compared to the reference period of last year (Q1-Q3 2004: 37.7 MEUR).
Outlook Based on the financial results for the First Three Quarters of 2005 the Andritz Group expects to reach new record results for the full year of 2005. The Managing Board confirms its financial guidance given on the occasion of the results for the First Half of 2005 and expects Group Sales to increase by approximately 20%, and Net Income by approximately 35% compared to 2004.
"We intend to raise dividend for 2005 at least in step with the expected increase of Net Income, which corresponds to a payout ratio of approximately 35%", says Wolfgang Leitner, President and CEO of Andritz, and adds: "In targeting an even more shareholder oriented dividend policy, it is planned to increase the payout ratio to 40% on a medium-term basis".
For 2006, Wolfgang Leitner is optimistic: "Based on the forecasts of economic researchers, who expect global economic growth to continue over the next Quarters, we expect a satisfactory project activity in all of our Business Areas. Taking into account these positive economic conditions and our high Order Backlog we are confident for the coming year":
Key Figures for the First Three Quaters of 2005
(in MEUR) Q1-Q3 2004 Q1-Q3 2005 Change Q3 2004 Q3 2005 Change Sales 1,070.3 1,204.0 +12.5% 384.5 426.5 +10.9% Order Intake 1,068.5 1,400.2 +31.0% 292.9 509.9 +74.1% Order Backlog (end of period) 1,080.9 1,667.8 +54.3% 1,080.9 1,667.8 +54.3% EBITDA 1) 80.8 90.4 +11.9% 28.8 33.7 +17.0% EBITDA margin 7.5% 7.5% - 7.5% 7.9% - EBITA 2) 64.4 72.8 +13.0% 23.1 27.6 +19.5% EBITA margin 6.0% 6.0% - 6.0% 6.5% - EBIT 52.4 72.8 +38.9% 19.4 27.5 +41.8% Earnings before taxes 52.6 75.1 +42.8% 19.9 28.4 +42.7% Net Income after minorities 37.7 56.8 +50.7% 12.2 24.1 +97.5% Cash flow from operating activities 130.6 107.3 -17.8% 40.1 68.8 +71.6% CAPEX 3) 9.0 18.0 +100.0% 3.3 8.2 +148.5% Employees (end of period) 5,137 5,905 +15.0% 5,137 5,905 +15.0%
1) EBITDA: Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization of Goodwill 2) EBITA: Earnings before Amortization of Goodwill 3) Additions to tangible and intangible assets
The Letter to Shareholders for the First Three Quarters of 2005 is available on the Andritz web site (www.andritz.com) both as an online and a PDF version. Printed versions can be requested by telephone (+43 316 6902 2722), fax (+43 316 6902 465) or e-mail (petra.wolf@andritz.com).
The Andritz Group The Andritz Group - listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange - is a global market leader for advanced production systems for pulp and paper, steel and other specialized industries. Andritz has a staff of approximately 5,900 employees worldwide. It develops and makes its high-tech systems at 15 production sites (Austria, Germany, Finland, Denmark, France, Netherlands, USA, Canada, and China).
Disclaimer Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". These statements, which contain the words "believe", "intend", "expect" and words of similar meaning, reflect managements beliefs and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly announce the result of any revisions to the forward-looking statements made herein, except where it would be required to do so under applicable law.
end of announcement euro adhoc 08.11.2005 07:30:00
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Michael Buchbauer
Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +43 316 6902 2979
Fax: +43 316 6902 465
mailto:michael.buchbauer@andritz.com
Branche: Machine Manufacturing
ISIN: AT0000730007
WKN:
Index: WBI, ATX Prime, ATX
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing
Original content of: Andritz AG, transmitted by news aktuell